Steam heating apparatus.



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STEAM HEATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed May 14, 1900.) (No Nadel.) 3 Sheets-Shui 2.

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N0. 670,893. Pafentd Mar. 26, |90I.. J. A. DONNELLY.

STEAM HEATING APPARATUS.

(Application led Muy 14, 1900.) (No Modem 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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niTtn STATES PATENT STEAM HEATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION formiizlgi part of Letters Patent N0. 670,893, dated March 26, 1901.

Application filed May 14,1900.

To (I/ZZ whom, it mrtg; concern,.-

Be it known that l, JAMES A. DONNELLY, of the borough of Brooklyn, Kings county, State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Steam Heating Apparatus, of which the following is a speciflcation.

My invention relates to steam heating apparatus, and is fully set forth inthe following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.

lt is an object of my invention to render a steam-heating system automatic in the regulationY of theioutlet-valves which control theV discharge of the air and kWater of condensation from the heaters, coils, or other radiating devices.

In carrying out my invention I employ a valve-actuating device operated by the diiference in pressure in the return or outlet side and in the radiator or inlet side and means controlled by the conditions on the inlet side, such as the pressure or the presence of steam cr water, to control the differential pressure acting on the valve-actuating device. Thus while the operation of the valve is effected by means of the differential pressure that differential pressure and the operation of the valve are regulated and controlled by the conditions existing on the inlet side, so that the valve passage-way will be opened or closed to a greater or less extent, as the existing conditions on the inlet side may require, and a very regular and certain operation is obtained.

ln the preferred embodiment of my invention, as shown in the drawings, the means for actuating Idie valve consist of a pressuremotor communicating with the return or outlet side. By employingr as the pressure-motor a fiexible diaphragm having one side subjected to the pressure or conditions on the inlet side communicating with the radiating devices and the other side subjected to the pressure or conditions on the outlet side communicating with the return I am able to control the operation of the outlet-valve operated hy said diaphragm by the relation between the pressures in the radiator and return. lf the outlet-valves remain constantly open to an extent necessary to effect the discharge of the water of condensation, there is liability` of short-circuiting and Waste of steam, and this` is particularly the case in Serial No. 16,548; (No mndclf those systems in which a partial vacuum or lower pressure is created in the returns for the purpose of drawing out the air and water.

Itis also an object ot' my invention to render the valves automatic, so that they will open or close, according to the conditions existing in the radiating devices or returns at which they are located, thus enabling the water of condensation and air to be fully discharged, but preventing the waste of steam. This result has been accomplished heretofore by the use of thermostatic valves and steam-traps, which remain open to permit the air and Water to escape, but close to the passage of steam; but it is an object of my invention to accomplish this automatic regulation without the use of thermostatic devices for that purpose.

The preferred means for controlling the operation of the pressure-motor consist of a float controlled by the Water of condensation' o n the inlet side and controlling a vent iu the pressu re-motor,by which the differ-en tial pressure and the operation of the motor are regulated.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of a valve device embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating a different form. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of part of the valve device of the character shown in Fig. 2, illustrating a modilication. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a steam heating apparatus embodying the invention, and Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View of a valve device embodying a diiferent form,

A is any source of steam-supply, such as the exhaust-pipe of au engine.

B B are radiating devices-such as heaters, coils, incr-communicating with the exhaust or source of steam-supply A in the usual manner.

O O C are the returns from the radiating devices.

D is a vacuum-pump or other exhausting apparatus connected with the returns and adapted to create a partial vacuum or lower pressure therein.

E E are the automatic valves locatedin the outlets of the radiating devices or at any other suitable place in the return portion of the system between the outlets of the radiat- IOO than it can enter through the vent.

ing devices and the pump.. I have shown three forms of these automatic Valve devices E, and other modifications and forms may be used without departing from the invention, provided the essential feature of the operation of the valve through means actuated by the diderential pressure in the outlet and inlet when controlled by means governed by the conditions existing on the inlet side is employed.

F is the valve-body having the usual inlet a and outlet ZJ, with the valve passage-way or thoroughfare c, controlled by the valvepiece CZ. The valve-piece CZ is connected with and controlled by the motor e., which,as stated, is operated by the differential pressure in t-he outlet and inlet sides. As shown, the motor consists of a flexible diaphragm clamped between the valve-bonnet f and a cap g and forming a closed motor-chamber h in the top of the valve device below the cap. The valvepiece d is connected with the motor e by a' tube i, extending through the diaphragm and valve-piece, respectively, and provided with a small duct or passage-wayj, which forms a communication between the motor-chamber h and the return or outlet side bof the valve device. A small spring lo between the diaphragm and the cap maybe used to hold the diaphragm in a normally-lowered position, with the valve-piece CZ closed upon its seat, and the tension of this spring may be adjusted by a nut g on the cap. The spring may, however, be omitted.

The partial Vacuum or lower pressure in the outlet or return b will extend through the ductjl into the motor-chamber 71,.

To control the operation of the motor by the conditions existing on the inlet side, I provide a vent Z, leading into the motor-chamber Zt from the inlet side, through which the air may b e drawn out from the radiator while the valve d is closed. This vent is of larger area than the duet j, so that the air will not be exhausted from the motor-chamber h faster It consequently follows that while the vent Zis open it forms an intercommunication between the opposite sides 'of the diaphragm,and the pressures on the opposite sides will be equal and there will be no movement of the diaphragm or valve CZ. When, however,the ventZis closed and the pressure in the chamber h is reduced, the pressure on the inlet side will lift the diaphragm and open the valve. This vent! may be controlled by the conditions existing on the inlet side; but as the accumulation of water of condensation is the condition which is of chief importance I prefer to control the vent Z automatically by the water of condensation. For this purpose I employ a iioat m, arranged within the inlet side and adapted, when acted upon by the accumulation of water in the valve, to close the vent. In the construction shown in Fig. l the {ioat m rests upon the valve-piece and embraces the tube 7l. It carries a Valve n, adapted when the erases iioat is lifted to close upon the vent Z. A pin o, projecting from the valve n, serves to hold the float in alinement and guide the valve and also to keep the vent free and unobstructed by particles of foreign matter.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the float m is arranged in the upper part of the valvebody, and instead of the pin-valve n it. carries a valve-plate n', adapted to close upon the vent.

In the construction shown in Fig. 5 a cupshaped float 'm' is employed,which is adapted to float in the water of condensation. This float carries a pin p, which extends through the vent Z and supports a valve n2 within the chamber Zt. When the lioat m falls, the pin p permits the valve n2 to close on the vent Z. The float m' is of annular form, loosely ernbracing the tube t', and a tube r, carried by the diaphragm e, extends down into the iioat nearly to the bottom. s is an annular rib about the outlet c, forming a support for the float m' when it sinks. The iioat m' being partially lled with water floats in the body of water in the valve-body, with the valve n2 raised and the Vent open. When, however, an excess of water accumulates and passes into the open top of the float, the iioat will sink upon the rib s and close the vent 7,. The valve d is then opened; but as the seating of the ioat upon the rib s will close the direct passage-way the water will be drawn out through the float and will pass from the outlet into the iioat and thence up between the tube rand the inner wall of the iioat and down through the inner passage-way about the tube to the outlet o until the float is emptied to an extent sufficient to enable it to rise again and open the vent, when the diaphragm will instantly close the valve d.

A tube t may be arranged about the float in each construction, extending down to nearly the bottom of the valve-body to direct the water of condensation toward the bottom and to cause it to rise upward.

While the vent Z is open and the valve d is closed the air will be drawn outof the radiators through the small thoroughfare afforded by the ductj and vent Z, and the valve CZ will be opened only when there is an accumulation of water of condensation. This small thoroughfare, while sufficient for the dis-' charge of the air7 will not permit the escape of any appreciable volumes of steam, as would occur if the large thoroughfare afforded by the valve d were open. There will consequently be no short-circuiting or waste of steam, and the system will be entirely automatic inits operation.

To controlfthe size of the suction or discharge passage-way formed by the ductj, the top of the tubet' may be provided with a small capjz, having a small orifice j', as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

If desired, the air passage-way formed by the ductj and vent Z may be controlled thermostatically-t'- e., by means of a thermostat IOO IIO

controlled by the temperature of the steam. In Fig. 3 I have shown such a construction in which a small thermostatic expanding piece wis arranged within the ductj and is adapted, when subjected to the temperature of steam, to expand, and thus restrict the thoroughfare through the oriiicej.

Besides the particular devices shown other means may be employed for controlling the operation of the motore and valve d under the action of the partial vacuum or conditions existing on the outlet side or return.

Whilelhave shown myinvention embodied in a system in which a partial vacuum or lower pressure is created in the returns b v means of an exhausting device connected therewith, the invention may also be embodied in a pressure system in which such exhausting device is not employed. In either case the operation of the valve-actuating motor will be operated bythe difference in pressure in the returns and in the inlet side or radiator, while that difference in pressure will be controlled by the devices controlled by the conditions existing in the inlet side.

l/Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure `by Letters Patent, is as follows:

l. In a steam heating apparatus, the combination of a radiating device, a lreturn for the air and water of condensation leading therefrom, a valve interposed between the outlet of the radiating device, and the return, a pressure-motor for operating said valve interposed between the valve and the outlet of the radiating device and. having its opposite sides acted upon respectively by the pressure in the radiator-outlet and in the'return, and means automatically controlled by the conditions in the inlet side of said valve to control the dii'erential pressure acting on the motor and the operation of the valve.

2. In an automatic valve device for steamheating systems, the combination of a valvebody having a valve-seat, a valve-piece to control said valve-seat, a pressure-motor controlling said valve-piece located within the said valve-body between the inlet and valveseat, and having one side subjected to the.

pressure on the inlet side of the Valve-body, and the other side subjected to the pressure on the outlet side beyond the valve-seat, and means controlled by the conditions on the inlet side of the valve to automatically control the pressure acting on the valve-motor from the side in communication with the outlet side of the valve-body beyond the valve-seat, whereby the differential pressure acting upon said pressure motor to operate the valvepiece is controlled by the conditions existing on the inlet side of the valve-body.

3. In an automatic valve device for steamheating systems, the combination of a valvebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece to control said thoroughfare, a pressure-motor for controlling said valve-piece having communication on one side with the inlet side of the valve-body and on the other side with the outlet side beyond the thoroughfare and an inter-communication between said communications, and mechanical means controlled by the conditions existing on the inlet side of the valve-body for closing said intercommunication to establish a differential pressure acting on said pressure-motor.

4. In a steam heating apparatus, the combination with a radiating device, a return for the air and water of condensation leading therefrom, a valve between the outlet of the radiating device and the return, a pressuremotor for controlling said valve operated by the difference in the pressure in the radiating device and the return, and provided with a normally open controlling-veut 'forming a communication between the inlet and outlet sides of said valve, and means cont-rolled by the conditions on the inlet side of said valve to control said vent and the operation of the pressure-motor controlled thereby.

5. In a steam heating apparatus, the combination with a radiating device, a return for the air and water of condensation leading therefrom, a valve between the outlet of the radiating device and the return, a -pressuremotor for controlling said valve comm unicating with the pressure in the return and provided with a normally open vent forming a communication between the inlet and outlet sides of said valve7 and means controlled by the conditions on the inlet side of said valve to control said vent and the operation of the pressure-motor and valve under the action of the pressure in the return.

6. In a steam heating apparatus, the combination with a radiating device, a return for the air and water of condensationleading therefrom, a valve between the outlet of the radiating device and the return, a pressuremotor for controlling said valve `comm unicating with the pressure in the return andprovided with a normally open vent forming a communication between the inletrand o'utlet sides of said valve, and a lioatcontrolled by the water of condensation on the inlet side of said valve to control said vent. j

7. In an automatic valve device for steam.

heating systems, the combination of a valyebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece to control said thoroughfare, `a pressure-motor for controlling said valve-piece having its opposite sides directly and constantly exposed to the pressure on the inlet and outlet sides of the valve-body respectively and adapted to be operated by the diierence in said pressures, and means controlled by the conditions on the inlet side to automatically control the difference in said pressures and the operation of the motor and valve-piece thereby.

S. In an automatic valve device for steamheating systems, the combination of a valvebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece to control said thoroughfare, a pressure-motor for controlling said valve-piece communicating with the valve-body on the outlet side beyond the thoroughfare, and provided with a IOO IIO

normally open vent forming a communication with the inlet side of said valve-body, and

l means controlled by the conditions on the inlet side to control said vent andthe operation of the pressure-motor under the difference in pressure on the outlet and inlet sides.

9. In an automatic valve device for steamheating systems, the combination ,of a valvebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece to control said thoroughfare, a pressure-motor for controlling saidvalve-piece communicating with the valve-body on the outlet side beyond the thoroughfare, and provided with a normally open vent forming a communication with the inlet side of said valve-body, and a float located on the inlet side and adapted to control said vent.

10. In anautomatic valve device for steamheating systems, the combination of a valvebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece to control said thoroughfare, a pressure-motor for controlling said valve-piece having communication on one side with the inlet side of the valveLbody and on the other side with the outlet side ybeyond the thoroughfare and an intercommunication between said com muni'- cations, and a float controlled by the water of condensation on the inlet side of the valvebody for closing said intercommunication to establish a differential pressure acting upon said pressure-motor. y

11. In an automatic valve device for steam I heating apparatus, the combinationv with the valve piece, of a pressure actuated dia- 1 phragm for operatingsaid valve-piece, a duct .leading through said diaphragm from the outlet side of the valve device, whereby the loperation of said diaphragm and valve-piece is controlled bythe rrelative pressure or parheating apparatus, the combination with the valve piece, of a pressure actuated dia.

phragm for operating said valve-piece, a duct leading through said diaphragm from the outlet side of the valve device, whereby the operation of said diaphragm and valve-piece is controlled by the relative pressure or partial vacuum on the outlet side, said diaphragm being provided with a vent forming a normally open communication with the inlet side of the valve device, and means controlled by the conditions on the inlet side to control said vent.

13. In an automatic valve device for steam heating apparatus, the combination with the valve piece, of a pressure actuated diaphragm for operating Said valve-piece, a duct leading through said diaphragm from the outlet side of the Valve device, said diaphragm being provided with a Vent forming a normally open communication with the inlet side crasse of the valve device, and a oat in the inlet side to control said vent.

14.. In an automatic valve device for steamheating systems, the combination of a valvebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece to control said thoroughfare, a pressure-motor for controllingsaid valve-piece having com# munication on one side with the inlet side of the Valve-body and on the other side with the outlet side beyond the thoroughfare and an intercommunication between said communications, mechanical means controlled by the conditions existing on the inlet side of the valve-body for closing said intercommunicationto establish a differential pressure acting on said pressure-motor, and a thermostat for thermostatically controlling the area of said intercommunication.

15. In an automatic valve device for steam heating apparatus,the combination ofa valvebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece controlling said thoroughfare, a pressure-actuated diaphragm for controlling said valvepiece, a tube connecting said diaphragm and valve-piece and forming a communication between the outlet side of the valve device and the space adjacent to the diaphragm, said diaphragm being provided with a normally open vent forming a communication through the diaphragm with the inlet side of the valve device, and means controlled by the conditions on the inlet'side for controlling said vent.

16. In an automatic valve device for steam heating apparatus, the combination of a valvebody having a thoroughfare, a valve-piece controlling said thoroughfare, a pressure-actuated diaphragm for controlling said valvepiece, a tube connecting said diaphragm and valve-'piece and forming a communication between the outlet side of the Valve device and diaphragm being provided with a normally open vent forming a communication through said diaphragm with the inlet side of the valve device, and a float on the inlet side of the valve device for controlling said vent.

17. In an automatic valve device for steam heating apparatus,the combination of a valvebody, a valve-piece to control the passage through said valve-bod y, a iieXible diaphragm in the upper part of the valve-body forming a closed chamber, a connection between said diaphragm and valve-piece, a duct between the chamber formed by said diaphragm and the outlet side of the valve-body beyond the valve-piece, whereby the operation of said diaphragm and valve is controlled by the difference in pressure on the inlet and outlet sides, and means within the valve-body controlled by the conditions on the inlet side to control the differential pressure and the operation. of said diaphragm and valve-piece.

18. In an automatic valve device for steam heating apparatus,the combination of a valvebody, a valve-piece to control the passage through said valve-body, a iiexible diaphragm IOO the space adjacent to the diaphragm, said IIO IIS

in the upper part of the valve-body forming a closed chamber and provided with a normaily open vent'J forming a communication through said diaphragm with the inlet side of the valve-body, e tube connecting said diaphragm and valve-piece and forming e communication between the closed chamber above the diaphragm and the outlet side of the valve-body beyond said valve-piece, and

a Hoet Within the valve-body controlling said to venta.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto setJ my hand.

JAMES A. DONNELLY;

Witnesses:

JOHN G. EADIE, WILLIAM M. TREADWELL. 

